Tony Roberts has died. He was 85 and had been sick for many years.
It’s very hard to write an obit for Tony, who I met decades ago. He was famous for being the foil for Woody Allen’s characters in many famous films including “Annie Hall” and “Play it Again, Sam.” Woody was always the shlub, and Tony was the good looking, suave pal. Together they made a memorable team.
Tony’s career went beyond Woody’s projects. He starred in a stunning 24 — twenty four — plays and musicals on Broadway including Woody’s “Play it Again, Sam” and “Don’t Drink the Water,” plus “Victor/Victoria,” “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” and “How Now Dow Jones.” He received two Tony Award nominations.
Tony also had a long list of film and TV credits that included three more Woody Allen movies — “Stardust Memories,” “Radio Says,” and “Stardust Memories” He had a memorable turn in Sidney Lumet’s “Serpico” and in the TV version of Alan Alda’s “The Four Seasons.”
One day in maybe 1983, Tony took the bike next to me at the old Sports Training Institute on East 49th St. We were on the same schedule, and go to know each other. I was very honored. Years later, I would see him in Elaine’s when he was starring on Broadway with Julie Andrews in “Victor, Victoria.” When Julie left, Raquel Welch came in and was, well, a diva. Tony entertained us many nights with backstage stories. He was always the gentleman, but it was an eye opening experience.
A really bright light has gone out in the firmament of New York actors, the real thing. Condolences to his daughter, and family, and friends like Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. Tony was certainly famous for “Annie Hall” See below. But I loved him from “Play It Again, Sam,” long before cell phones, checking in with his answering service every five minutes.
